Facial hydrotherapeutic device



May '10, 1949. T. w. J EPPSON FACIAL HYDROTHERAPEUTIC DEVICE Filed 'Aug. 12, 1946 INV W ENTOR.

a/firn/ ATTORNEY then cold water.

Patented May 10, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FACIAL HYDROTHERAPEUTIC DEVICE Thelma W. J eppson, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application August 12, 1946, Serial No. 689,845

Claims. (01. 128-399) v This invention relates to devices for reducing the slack flesh and skin adjacent the eyes and for generally toning up the flesh and muscles and thereby remove wrinkles, bags, etc.

More particularly, the invention has for an object to provide a simple hydrotherapeutic device for application to those areas of the face to be treated whereby, first warm or hot water can be directed to the areas under treatment and The therapy involved makes use of the fact that a hot application will serve to swell the blood vessels in the areas treated and that an immediately subsequent cold application will cause a reaction tending to build up the facial muscles, harden them and therefore absorb slack areas and Wrinkles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character indicated which holds its position in use, effectively seals against leakage, and by means of which the sequential water applications may be readily performed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device as indicated which sprays the Water applications on the areas under treatment and drains off the water as applied to maintain a desired circulation at desired temperatures.

My invention also has for its objects to provide such means that are positive in operation, convenient in use, easily installed in a working position and easily disconnected therefrom, economical of manufacture, relatively simple, and of general superiority and servicea'bility.

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear in the course of the following description. However, the drawings merely show and the following description merely describes one embodiment of the present invention, which is given by way of illustration or example only.

In the drawings, like reference characters designate similar parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a hydrotherapeutic device embodying the present invention and shown in use.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view thereof.

Figs. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views as taken on the respective lines 33 and 4-4 of Fig. 2.

The device comprises a generally mask-like member made of rubber or the like so that it is pliable and comformable rather than stretchable. Certain plastic and metals ma also be used. Essentially, the device comprises outer and inner walls I0 and II, respectively sealed at their peripheral edges to form a chamber [2 therebetween. In its present form, the device is shaped and formed to provide pads I3 and It to cover the areas of the face below the eyes and to provide a narrower connecting portion l5 extending over the bridge of the nose. The pads l3 and M are somewhat crescent-shaped to clear the eyes and yet effectively cover those facial areas desired to be treated.

A water inlet [6 is made to the chamber I2, preferably at the portion I5 so that water will flow into the chambers of both ads l3 and I4. Drain connections I! are provided in each pad, each connection extending through to the inner side of the pad. The wall ll of each pad is provided with a multiplicity of holes [8 or other suitable openings as best seen in Fig. 2. The drain connections I I may be connected to a common outlet l9 as shown in Fig. 1.

The peripheral edgev of the device is provided with a gasket 20 for the primary purpose of sealing against the face and thereby to prevent undesirable leakage. The gasket 20 may further be used for effecting a suction engagement with the facial areas in contact therewith so that the device will maintain an operative position without need for other securing means. Accordingly, the gaskets 20 are concavely formed as at 2|, and by pressing the gasket in place to expel the air in the concavity, the device will hold its position and also effectively seal around the facial area being treated. Although the gasket is shown as being peripheral, it is evident that each pad may be separately sealed and no sealing means provided over the nose bridging portion l5.

In use, the device is applied as above indicated. Hot water is introduced through inlet 16 into the chamber l2. Said Water will pass as a spray through holes l8 to impinge on the facial areas under treatment. Accumulations of water wil1 readily drain oif through connections I! and outlet 19. After a suitable period of hot water application, cold water is directed in the path described to effect the therapeutic action previously outlined. Upon completion of the treatment, the device is readily removed by breaking the seal at any point of the gasket.

It will be noted that the device is efiective for directing liquid applications without messy leakage, that the applications may be given with the person erect, sitting or reclining; and that the device is readily adaptable to various facial contours.

A structure embodying a single pad for the treatment under one eye, can readily be made by providing the connection IS in the upper portion of the wall Ill above the outlet l'I.

While I have illustrated and described what I now regard as the preferred embodiment of my invention, the construction is, of course, subject to modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I, therefore, do not wish to restrict myself to the particular form of construction illustrated and described, but desire to avail myself of all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

a chamber, the inner Wall having perforations, 1

an inlet to the chamber, at least one connection extending through the chamber for draining from the inner side of the inner wall, and a gasket fixed to said edges of said walls for engaging-the surface to be treated and to confine the treating fluid between one of said walls and said treat- .ed surface.

3. A hydrotherapeutic device comprising outer and inner walls sealed at their edges to form a fluid distributingchamber, the inner Wall having perforations, an inlet to the chamber, at

least one connection, extending through the chamber for draining fluid passing through said chamber to the innersideof theinner "wall and a sealing and suction gasket-along :the. mentioned wall edges for suction engagement with a part of the human body.

4. A hydrotherapeutic device comprising outer and inner walls sealed at their edges to enclose a chamber, said device being formed with face engaging pads connected by an imperforate nose bridging portion, the inner wall portion of each pad being perforated, an inlet to the chamber opening against said imperforate portion, and an outlet extending through each pad for draining from the inner side of the inner wall of each pad.

5. A hydrotherapeutic device comprising outer -and inner spaced walls connected at the marginal edges to form a fluid distributin chamber, the inner wall being formed with spaced perfo'rated areas, a continuous gasket enclosing the marginal connected edges of said walls, said gasket being formed with a concave face for engagin the surface to be treated and to provide a suction attaching means for the structure, a fluid inlet opening against the inner face of said perforated wall intermediate the perforated .-areas, and drain pipes extending through said walls adjacent their lower edge portions for the discharge of fluid flowing throughsaid perforat- ,-ed wall against the treated surface.

THELMA W. JEPPSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,208,139 Graham Dec. 12, 1916 2,123,418 Crosley July 12, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS N umber Country Date 446,788 Great Britain May v6. 1936 

